Find all 100 ways to holiday here this year

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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Discover the 100 ways to holiday here this year.

Start planning your next Australian holiday by reading our 100 by experience.

Coast

Here is one to eight of the best coast holidays.

 

1. Be revitalised on the Sapphire Coast, NSW

2. Sleep in style at Bon Sol in Burleigh Heads, Qld

3. Stay at the Ship Inn Stanley, Tas

4. Have a vintage summer holiday on the Tweed Coast, NSW

5. Explore the legacy of Cooktown, Qld

6. Do an empty Esky tour of Shoalhaven, NSW

7. Swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, WA

8. Hike the Cape to Cape Track, WA

Cities

Here is nine to 20 of the best city holidays.

 

9. Discover a different side of Cairns, Qld

10. Take the perfect short break in Canberra, ACT

11. Plan a weekend in Brisbane, Qld

12. Stay at Moss Hotel in Hobart, Tas

13. Check into a neighbourhood hotel

14. Have a staycation in your city

15. Eat, drink and stay in Coogee, NSW

16. Go wild in the city at Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW

17. Experience Perth’s cool new arrivals, WA

18. Find out what’s hip in Newcastle, NSW

19. Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, Vic

20. Do a festival (or five) in Adelaide, SA

Islands

Here is 21 to 28 of the best island holidays.

 

21. Escape to private Picnic Island, Tas

22. Revisit Kangaroo Island, SA

23. Discover Fraser Island’s many surprises, Qld

24. Unwind at Kittawa Lodge on King Island, Tas

25. Have an eco-friendly holiday on Rottnest Island, WA

26. Seek out the foodie secrets of Flinders Island, Tas

27. Get acquainted with Australia’s island paradises

28. Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands, WA

Outback

Here is 29 to 40 of the best outback holidays.

 

29. Find outback luxury at Mt Mulligan Lodge, Qld

30. Feel remote at Berkeley River Lodge on the Kimberley Coast, WA

31. Explore Alice Springs in an unexpected way, NT

32. Ride the Savannahlander train through outback Queensland, Qld

33. Tour the incredible landscape of the Coral Coast, WA

34. Make it your mission to see Australia’s most amazing rocks

35. Set out on a multi-day outback hike

36. Experience wild glamping in the outback

37. Be surprised in the Top End, NT

38. See the wildflowers of WA and beyond

39. Visit Australia’s gorgeous gorges

40. Stay on an outback station

Icons

Here is 41 to 48 of the iconic holidays.

 

41. Find island bliss in the Whitsundays, Qld

42. Plug into Uluru and Kings Canyon, NT

43. Jump aboard Australia’s new iconic train journey, Qld–SA

44. Seek out the best wild swimming spots in Kakadu, NT

45. Spend time at a secret beach

46. Explore the red-rock wilderness of the East Kimberley, WA

47. Discover the other side of Byron Bay, NSW

48. Rediscover Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas

Indigenous

Here is 49 to 57 of the best Indigenous experiences.

 

49. Buy art from Australia’s best Indigenous artists, NT

50. Trace an ancient songline on the Dampier Peninsula, WA

51. Join a women’s only tour in Arnhem Land, NT

52. Do Geraldton’s Yamaji Drive Trail, WA

53. Explore the Flinders Ranges from a traditional perspective, SA

54. Catch an Indigenous festival

55. Join a rock art tour in Quinkan Country, Qld

56. Find Tasmania’s (not so) hidden Indigenous culture, Tas

57. Have an urban Indigenous experience

Regional

Here is 58 to 67 of the best regional holidays.

 

58. Take your pick in Bilpin, NSW

59. See Townsville in a whole new light, Qld

60. Escape to the country in Bathurst, NSW

61. Discover coffee and culture in Murwillumbah, NSW

62. Go on tour in Bendigo, Vic

63. Embrace the natural wonders of Wolgan Valley, NSW

64. The first-class appeals of five second cities

65. Discover old-school charm and new ideas in Northam, WA

66. Rock on in the Granite Belt, Qld

67. Go off-grid in a tiny house

Food and Wine

Here is 68 to 81 of the best food and wine holidays.

 

68. Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange, NSW

69. Unearth the surprises of the Scenic Rim, Qld

70. Have a long weekend on Bruny Island, Tas

71. The sites and culinary delights of the Southern Highlands, NSW

72. Tour the wineries and distilleries of McLaren Vale, SA

73. Go luxe in the Barossa Valley, SA

74. Road trip through the Yass Valley, NSW

75. Explore the hip highlights of the Adelaide Hills, SA

76. Catch the ferry to Geelong, Vic

77. Tour the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland, Vic

78. The sights and baked delights of Musk, Morpeth and more

79. Hit the road to Mudgee, NSW

80. Upgrade your next cellar door visit with Ultimate Winery Experiences

81. Enjoy the earthy spoils of the Margaret River region, WA

Family

Here is 82 to 89 of the best family holidays.

 

82. Go houseboat hiking on the Murray River, SA

83. Have a winter escape in the Aussie ski fields, NSW + Vic

84. Encounter Australia’s unique wildlife

85. Camp out in the Grampians, Vic

86. Revisit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill, Vic

87. Have an adventure on the Eyre Peninsula, SA

88. Sleep over on the Great Barrier Reef, Qld

89. Take a family-friendly rail trip

Road Trips

Here is 90 to 100 of the best road trip holidays.

 

90. Eat your way around the Murray River Valley, NSW

91. Visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and towns of the Mid North Coast, NSW

92. Journey through the Greater Blue Mountains, NSW

93. Cross the Nullarbor and other iconic road trips

94. Do the Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld

95. Discover Tassie’s Deep South, Tas

96. Stay in style in Daylesford, Vic

97. Tour the towns of the Great Alpine Road, Vic

98. Road trip through East Gippsland, Vic

99. See the world’s second largest canyon, NSW

100. Drive the Limestone Coast, SA

 

You can also explore the top 100 ways to holiday here by state.

New South Wales

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in NSW.

 

1. Be revitalised on the Sapphire Coast, NSW

2. Have a vintage summer holiday on the Tweed Coast, NSW

3. Do an empty Esky tour of Shoalhaven, NSW

4. Eat, drink and stay in Coogee, NSW

5. Go wild in the city at Taronga Zoo Sydney, NSW

6. Find out what’s hip in Newcastle, NSW

7. Discover the other side of Byron Bay, NSW

8. Take your pick in Bilpin, NSW

9. Escape to the country in Bathurst, NSW

10. Discover coffee and culture in Murwillumbah, NSW

11. Embrace the natural wonders of Wolgan Valley, NSW

12. Sample the dynamic food and wine scene in Orange, NSW

13. The sites and culinary delights of the Southern Highlands, NSW

14. Road trip through the Yass Valley, NSW

15. Hit the road to Mudgee, NSW

16. Eat your way around the Murray River Valley, NSW

17. Visit the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and towns of the Mid North Coast, NSW

18. Journey through the Greater Blue Mountains, NSW

19. See the world’s second largest canyon, NSW

Victoria

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Victoria.

 

20. Explore Melbourne’s hidden gems, Vic

21. Go on tour in Bendigo, Vic

22. Catch the ferry to Geelong, Vic

23. Tour the Mornington Peninsula’s hinterland, Vic

24. Camp out in the Grampians, Vic

25. Revisit Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill, Vic

26. Stay in style in Daylesford, Vic

27. Tour the towns of the Great Alpine Road, Vic

28. Road trip through East Gippsland, Vic

Tasmania

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Tasmania.

 

29. Stay at the Ship Inn Stanley, Tas

30. Stay at Moss Hotel in Hobart, Tas

31. Escape to private Picnic Island, Tas

32. Unwind at Kittawa Lodge on King Island, Tas

33. Seek out the foodie secrets of Flinders Island, Tas

34. Rediscover Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tas

35. Find Tasmania’s (not so) hidden Indigenous culture, Tas

36. Have a long weekend on Bruny Island, Tas

37. Discover Tassie’s Deep South, Tas

South Australia

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in South Australia.

 

38. Do a festival (or five) in Adelaide, SA

39. Revisit Kangaroo Island, SA

40. Explore the Flinders Ranges from a traditional perspective, SA

41. Tour the wineries and distilleries of McLaren Vale, SA

42. Go luxe in the Barossa Valley, SA

43. Explore the hip highlights of the Adelaide Hills, SA

44. Go houseboat hiking on the Murray River, SA

45. Have an adventure on the Eyre Peninsula, SA

46. Drive the Limestone Coast

Western Australia

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Western Australia.

 

47. Swim with whale sharks in Ningaloo Reef, WA

48. Hike the Cape to Cape Track, WA

49. Experience Perth’s cool new arrivals, WA

50. Have an eco-friendly holiday on Rottnest Island, WA

51. Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands, WA

52. Feel remote at Berkeley River Lodge on the Kimberley Coast, WA

53. Tour the incredible landscape of the Coral Coast, WA

54. See the wildflowers of WA and beyond

55. Explore the red-rock wilderness of the East Kimberley, WA

56. Trace an ancient songline along the Dampier Peninsula, WA

57. Do Geraldton’s Yamaji Drive Trail, WA

58. Discover old-school charm and new ideas in Northam, WA

59. Enjoy the earthy spoils of the Margaret River region, WA

Northern Territory

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in the Northern Territory.

 

60. Explore Alice Springs in an unexpected way, NT

61. Be surprised in the Top End, NT

62. Plug into Uluru and Kings Canyon, NT

63. Buy art from Australia’s best Indigenous artists, NT

64. Join a women’s only tour in Arnhem Land, NT

Queensland

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year in Queensland.

 

65. Sleep in style at Bon Sol in Burleigh Heads, Qld

66. Explore the legacy of Cooktown, Qld

67. Discover a different side of Cairns, Qld

68. Plan a weekend in Brisbane, Qld

69. Discover Fraser Island’s many surprises, Qld

70. Find outback luxury at Mt Mulligan Lodge, Qld

71. Ride the Savannahlander train through outback Queensland, Qld

72. Find island bliss in the Whitsundays, Qld

73. Join a rock art tour in Quinkan Country, Qld

74. See Townsville in a whole new light, Qld

75. Rock on in the Granite Belt, Qld

76. Unearth the surprises of the Scenic Rim, Qld

77. Sleep over on the Great Barrier Reef, Qld

78. Do the Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld

Across multiple states

Here is the best ways to holiday here this year across Australia.

79. Take the perfect short break in Canberra, ACT

80. Check into a neighbourhood hotel

81. Have a staycation in your city

82. Get acquainted with Australia’s island paradises

83. Make it your mission to see Australia’s most amazing rocks

84. Set out on a multi-day outback hike

85. Experience wild glamping in the outback

86. Visit Australia’s gorgeous gorges

87. Stay on an outback station

88. Jump aboard Australia’s new iconic train journey, Qld–SA

89. Seek out the best wild swimming spots from Kakadu to the Kimberley

90. Spend time at a secret beach

91. Catch an Indigenous festival

92. Have an urban Indigenous experience

93. The first-class appeals of five second cities

94. Go off-grid in a tiny house

95. The sights and baked delights of Musk, Morpeth and more

96. Upgrade your next cellar door visit with Ultimate Winery Experiences

97. Have a winter escape in the Aussie ski fields, NSW + Vic

98. Encounter Australia’s unique wildlife

99. Take a family-friendly rail trip

100. Cross the Nullarbor and other iconic road trips

 

Discover more on the 100 ways to holiday here this year hub.
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The Gold Rush town that’s become Victoria’s best country escape for foodies

    Jocelyn PrideBy Jocelyn Pride
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    The well-preserved Gold Rush town where an idyllic country vibe meets the best of city living.

    Cafe culture

    ‘Slow down’ is the mantra of Tortoise Espresso , and it’s apt for anyone visiting town. This local coffee hangout was the brainchild of Lloyd Meadows, who at 16 started it as a hole in the wall of an old pub. Five years on, it graces a fine shopfront with a menu of around 60 different coffees. Other one-off centrally located daytime cafes, such as Saffs, Togs, Saint Florian and Lazy Bones, are tucked into historic buildings and serve creative menus featuring local produce. A personal favourite is Origini, where chef Luca Sartori brings a taste of northern Italy to his rustic restaurant. For the best banh mi outside Vietnam head to Super Hero, and the pastries at Johnny Baker are legendary.

    the Saint Florian Cafe, Castlemaine
    Saint Florian is one of many businesses tucked away in a historic building. (Image: Griffin Simm)

    On the town’s fringe you’ll find some treasured cafes: Blackbird. Grist, Doveton Corner Store, and the cosy Aitken’s Corner. The Mill precinct also brings another dimension to Castlemaine. Located directly opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens, this once-derelict woollen mill is a hive of creativity and collaboration. Retaining an industrial feel, it is home to a myriad of 44 unique businesses, galleries and studios that stretch over the three-hectare site.

    Brilliant brews, bars and food

    diners at The Mill, Castlemaine
    The Mill is home to many local businesses. (Image: Visit Victoria/Michelle Jarni)

    The Mill is also home to one of Castlemaine’s bespoke breweries, Shedshaker Brewing Company and Taproom. Within the sensitively restored walls of the oldest part of the building (circa 1875), small-batch, handcrafted beer features alongside fine wholesome food and live music.

    A more recent newcomer to the brewing scene is Love Shack . Starting small as a laneway pop-up in 2021, visionaries Conna Mallett and Harry Cox were armed with a Melbourne beer culture pedigree, which helped them create a great new ‘pub’ that feels as though it’s been there since the 1850s. Other atmospheric bars and restaurants are dotted around town – Grafting Cellars for local wines by the pour; buzzy Mostyn Street Cellars; Table Records plays vinyl on weekends; and the quirky Maurocco bar is not to be missed.

    food and drinks at Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro, Castlemaine
    The nostalgic Love Shack Public Bar & Bistro serves comfort food. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    For food you’ll write home about, the hatted Bar Midland serves exquisite dishes from Victorian-only produce. The freshly renovated Wild is located in the original firestation, Voor Ouker specialises in Indonesian/Dutch fusion, and the Railway Hotel oozes English pub charm.

    the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
    Theatre Royal is the longest continually operating theatre on the mainland. (Image: Chloe Smith Photography)

    Much-loved Teatro Regio, found in the magnificent Theatre Royal , is the go-to for pizzas with a twist. As mainland Australia’s longest continually running theatre, this grand dame is also one of more than a dozen performance spaces that add to a rich and diverse entertainment and festival scene.

    pizza at Theatre Royal
    Dine before a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria)

    Quirky country stays

    Quirky, authentic and perfectly located, the Midland Hotel is a private hotel that dates back to 1879. Each of the nine rooms at the Northern Arts Hotel is different and named in honour of an Australian artist. Castlemaine Boutique Accommodation also has a range of properties to suit all types of travellers.